§9731 Support for International Election Observation and Democratic Civil Society

Summary

The Secretary of State, working with the head of USAID, must help arrange credible international observation of future Venezuelan elections through the Organization of American States. They must also work with nongovernmental groups to strengthen democratic institutions (including the National Assembly), protect human rights and help document crimes against humanity, support independent media to reach people beyond channels allowed by the Maduro government, and fight corruption and improve transparency and accountability of institutions tied to that regime. The U.S. representative to the Organization of American States should push for an election observation mission to Venezuela. Within 180 days after December 20, 2019, the Secretary of State and USAID must brief the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senate Appropriations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and House Appropriations Committee. Congress authorized $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2020 for these activities, and spending must follow the usual notification rules for the Economic Support Fund and the Development Assistance Fund.